SWIMMING classes for youngsters in Bristol are benefiting sick babies in the city.

The Turtle Tots classes are supporting the Cots for Tots Appeal for the special care baby unit at St Michael's Hospital.

The £1-million campaign has funded a four-cot extension to the neonatal intensive care unit at the city centre hospital and work is ongoing to improve accommodation for parents while their babies are being cared for on the unit.

Swimming teachers are licensed to hold classes by Backwell-based Turtle Tots and donate a percentage of the booking cost to a charity.

Turtle Tots classes are for babies and young children and classes in the area are also supporting the Mum's the Word Appeal, which is raising £1.5 million to refurbish the maternity unit at Southmead and the North Somerset Springboard Opportunity Group, which helps youngsters with special needs.

Jo Wood takes the classes in Brislington, Soundwell and Winterbourne, and chose Cots for Tots.

She said: "I wanted to support something to do with the children's hospital and St Michael's when I heard about the Cots for Tots Appeal. Then my friend had a premature baby, so it all seemed to fit together."